Attachment for paint cans



April 6, 1954 Filed July 7, 1952 Rob er! 8. Davis JNVENTOR.

Wynn; E

Patented Apr. 6, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ATTACHMENT EOE PAINTCANS Robert B. Davis, Richmond, Calif.

Application July 7, 1952, Serial No. 297,472

The present invention relates to certain new and useful improvements ina novelly constructed and performing. attachment for paint cans, bucketsand the like, said attachment being especially constructed to provide asurplus paint scraping'and removing member and providing, in addition, asatisfactory paint brush holder.

More specifically, novelty is predicated on a surplus paint scraping anddrip return member which takes the form of a ring-like collar, bracketmeans being provided for applying and retaining the collar in a positionelevated above the top of the can and. situated within the perimeterlimits of the can in order that the surplus paint, which is wiped fromthe brush bristles, will gravitate and return itself to the interior ofthe can.

Another object has to do with the above mentioned bracketed collar whichis in the form of a resilient flat metal band with interconnectedoverlapping ends, whereby the diameter of the collar may be regulatedand set to accommodate paint cans and containers of differing diameters.

In carrying out a preferred embodiment of the invention the statedadjustable collar is attached to the top portion of the can through themedium of specially constructed adapter brackets. Each bracket is uniquein that it is fashioned from a piece or strip of flat strap metal havinga collar embracing sleeve at the inner end, an in verted U-shaped springattaching clip at the outer end and. a depending vertical U-bendintermediate its ends, said bend being adapted to fit into an existingchannel in the type of a can which has an annular channeled lidsupporting flange at its top.

Other objects, features and advantages will become more readily apparentfrom the following description and the accompanying sheet of drawmgs.

In the drawings wherein like numerals are employed to designate likeparts throughout the views:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a conventionaltype paint can with theimproved attachment means, the subject of the instant invention, appliedthereto and in readiness for use;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken approximately onthe irregular line 2-2 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of thearrows; and,

Figure 3 is a perspective view of an exploded type showing the essentialcomponents which go to make up the overall or complete paint canattachment.

' 4' Claims. (Cl. 22090) It will be clear that the expression can isused to comprehend any suitable container such as a bucket or similarreceptacle. For the most part, however, the improved attachment means ismore satisfactorily applicable and usable in connection with a paint cansuch as shown in the drawings and which is denoted by the numeral 4,this being the type in which the lid (not shown) is removably keyed in achannel 6 provided therefor in the customarily provided annularencirclement flange 8. The channel provides a key-way for an annular keyon the lid (not shown) and advantage is taken of this arrangement inconstructing the brackets to utilize the channel for bracing andstabilizing results.

Taking up first the surplus drip return and paint scraper, this issatisfactorily referred to, it is believed, as a circumferentiallyexpansible and contractible collar. The collar is denoted by the numeralII] and is generally in the form of a flat faced metal band l2 of properflexibly resilient properties. Since it is desirable that the collar beusable in connection with cans of varying diameters the co-acting ends[4 and I 6 are overlapped and adjustably interconnected by way ofencircling metal or equivalent loops l8 and 20. Portions of the band areshiftably supported in co-acting parts of the adapter brackets. Aplurality of circumferentially spaced brackets are used and each is thesame in construction and each one is denoted by the numeral 22. Withreference to the bracket seen at the left in Figure 3, it will be seenthat this comprises a flat metal strip having a horizontal inner endportion 24 provided with a rectangular sleeve 26 which serves as asupport for the collar. Alternate and reversely disposed U-bends areprovided and the outer one is denoted at 28 and this provides a springclip which fits over the bead 30 of the paint can in the manner shown.It has an extended flaring free end portion 32 to facilitate applicationand removal. This portion 32 may be perhaps described as a fingerpiece.The intermediate bend 34 functions as a stabilizing detent and it ispressed or snapped into the existing channel 6 of the can flange 8. Thehorizontal straight portion or inner end portions 24 project beyond theopening means in the flange and position the sleeves 26 so that theysupport the collar inwardly of the perimeter limits of said openingmeans and, in fact, space the collar from the inner peripheral edge ofthe flange so that surplus paint is allowed to gravitate back into theinterior of the can in an unobstructed and obvious manner.

The brush holder is denoted by the numeral 36 and is a channelconstruction, made up of parted sections 38 and 40, the section 38 beingfixed at 42 to the clip and a wingnut 44 and bolt 46 being used toyieldably interconnect the sections so that they function as grippingjaws for the handle 48 of the brush, 50, as shown best in Figure 3.

It is thought that persons skilled in the art to which the inventionrelates will be able to obtain a clear understanding of the inventionafter considering the description in connection with the drawings.Therefore, a more lengthy description is regarded as unnecessary.

Minor changes in the shape, size and arrangement of details comingwithin the field of invention claimed may be resorted to in actualpractice, if desired.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. For use on and in conjunction with a paint can, a surplus paintscraping and drip return attachment for the upper open end of said can,said attachment embodying a circular collar, said collar being aresilient broad band of metal of rectangular cross-section 'havingadjustably overlapped and interconnected ends, and a plurality ofadapter brackets for attaching and supporting said collar, at least onebracket comprising a fiat metal strap having a slidable rectangularsleeve at its inner end adjustably embracing said collar, said straphaving complemental U-bends, one at the intermediate portion of thestrap and the other one at the outer end of the strap, said bends beingvertical and the last named bend providing a spring clip.

2. The structure defined in claim 1, and a brush holder carried by saidone bracket, said brush holder being horizontal and channelshaped incross-section and projecting at one end over the cooperating sleeve andsecured at its opposite end to said spring clip.

3. The structure defined in claim 1, and a brush holder carried by saidone bracket, said brush holder being horizontal and channelshaped incross-section and resting at one end atop the cooperating sleeve andsecured at its opposite end to said spring clip, said channel beingcentrally parted in a lengthwise direction and providing gripping jaws.

4. For use on and in conjunction with a paint can, a surplus paintscraping and drip return attachment for the upper open end of said can,said attachment embodying a circular collar, said collar beingcircumferentially expansible and contractible, a plurality of adapterbrackets, each bracket having a spring clip at its outer end attachableto the can, a sleeve at its inner end slidably and removably embracingsaid collar, a lateral bend midway of the respective ends of thebracket, said bend being resilient and adapted to wedge and retentivelyseat itself in a channel with which said can is provided, at least one 5bracket being provided with an adjustably mounted brush holder, thelatter embodying a pair of gripping jaws, said jaws being horizontal andserving to receive and hold a brush handle.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 332,043 Brien Dec. 8, 1885 820,081 Alley et a1 May 8, 1906835,131 Geer Nov. 6, 1906 2,435,036 Ferguson Jan. 27, 1948 2,454,474Nance Nov. 23, 1948 2,535,260 Braswell Dec. 26, 1950

